2020 Hyundai Kona vs 2021 Lexus GX

The 2020 Hyundai Kona was a standout in its segment, boasting a sleek, sporty, and dramatic exterior that belied its mass-market economy car status. Despite being several inches shorter than its competitors, Hyundai's design team managed to create a visually stimulating vehicle with tiered lighting, a tall grille, and chunky matte plastic trim. The Kona's exterior details, such as slim LED running lamps, fender creases, and two-tone wheels, contributed to its premium vibe. However, the interior did not match the exterior's excitement, featuring hard plastics and lackluster finishes, which fell short compared to rivals like the Mazda CX-30 and Honda HR-V.

In contrast, the 2021 Lexus GX retained its decade-old body shell with minor updates, including the signature spindle grille and triple-beam LED headlights. The GX's exterior styling was aggressive and distinctive, appealing to SUV shoppers. However, the interior felt dated, with wood trim that resembled plastic and an overall lack of modern luxury. Despite standard leather upholstery, the GX's interior ergonomics were compromised by an upright dashboard, high center console, and limited legroom, making it feel more like a bus than a luxury SUV.

The 2020 Hyundai Kona surprised many with its impressive powertrain and chassis. The 1.6-liter turbocharged inline-four engine produced 175 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque, offering strong acceleration and confidence-inspiring performance. The 7-speed dual-clutch transmission (DCT) complemented the engine well, providing quick shifts and a satisfying turbo whoosh. However, only the Limited and Ultimate trims featured this turbo engine, while the standard 2.0-liter inline-four with 147 hp and 132 lb-ft was less impressive. The Kona's handling was commendable, with fast and direct steering, a tight suspension, and minimal body roll. Fuel economy was average for the class, with the 1.6T AWD achieving 26 mpg city and 29 mpg highway.

The 2021 Lexus GX, on the other hand, featured a 4.6-liter V8 engine producing 301 horsepower and 329 pound-feet of torque, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. While the V8 provided ample grunt for acceleration, the GX's 5,130-pound weight made high-speed maneuvers and braking more challenging. The body-on-frame construction resulted in a less refined ride quality, with noticeable body roll and low grip in corners. However, the GX excelled in off-road capability, with a Torsen center differential, low-range 4WD, and various driver aids like hill-descent control and Crawl Control. The GX also had a respectable towing capacity of 6,500 pounds.

The 2020 Hyundai Kona struggled with interior space, offering only 19 cubic feet of cargo space and 46 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. Rear legroom was average, but the Kona's cramped interior made it less practical for carrying passengers and luggage compared to competitors like the Honda HR-V and Buick Encore GX. Despite its user-friendly controls and infotainment system, the Kona's limited cargo space and lack of side rails on the base SE trim hindered its utility.

The 2021 Lexus GX's interior ergonomics were outdated, with limited legroom and an awkward steering wheel position. The dashboard shape and boxy profile provided excellent outward visibility, but the center-console storage and cupholders were small. The GX came standard with three rows of seating, but the third row was best suited for children and difficult to access. Cargo space was limited, with only 64.7 cubic feet available with the second and third rows folded, significantly less than the Land Rover Discovery's 73.0 cubic feet. The GX's third row eliminated most cargo space when in use, making it more practical as a two-row SUV.

The 2020 Hyundai Kona offered a good list of standard features, including a 7-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto on the base SE model. Higher trims added proximity entry, heated front seats, blind-spot monitoring, and an eight-speaker Infinity stereo. The Ultimate trim featured an 8-inch touchscreen with navigation, a sunroof, and adaptive cruise control. The Kona's infotainment system was user-friendly, and the Blue Link app provided remote engine start and vehicle monitoring.

The 2021 Lexus GX was light on tech features, lacking Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility. The standard infotainment system had outdated graphics and limited functions, with a separate display for time and temperature. However, the GX included analog controls for most functions, which some might find refreshing. The available 17-speaker Mark Levinson audio system was a highlight, but the overall tech offering was underwhelming for a luxury SUV.

The 2020 Hyundai Kona scored five out of five stars overall in NHTSA crash tests and was rated a 2020 Top Safety Pick by the IIHS. Standard safety features included forward emergency braking, lane-keep assist, and a driver attention monitor. However, pedestrian detection was only available on the Ultimate trim, and the Kona lacked front knee airbags and rear side airbags.

The 2021 Lexus GX had not been rated by the NHTSA or IIHS. It came standard with the Lexus Safety System+ bundle, which included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were also standard. However, the GX missed out on some advanced safety features available in other Lexus and Toyota models, such as traffic-sign recognition and Lane Tracing Assist.